New provisions for children excluded by RAMQ

Bill 83, which was passed on June 10, finally came into force on September 22, 2021.

The new provisions change the eligibility of children for the health insurance plan (RAMQ) and the general drug insurance plan in Quebec.

All children are now eligible for Quebec health and basic prescription drug insurance plans provided they are stay in Quebec for a period of more than 6 months in the year following the child’s date of registration, whether or not they were born there.

This includes children born in Quebec or those who accompany their parents when they are in Quebec:

• have a study permit;
• have a visitor’s permit for more than six months;
• have a work permit that is not tied to a specific employer in Quebec;
• have an irregular immigration situation (without legal status).

In addition, this law abolishes the waiting period for all minor children, allowing nearly 10,000 of them each year to be eligible for Québec health insurance as soon as they register.

For more details and to find out about this class action, see our page dedicated to this action.